LeBron James hasn't decided where he wants to go for free agency and his decision could factor into who the Lakers hire as a coach. / Soobum Im, USA TODAY Sports

by Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports

by Sam Amick, USA TODAY Sports

Will all those title-hungry teams outside of Miami who are hoping to land LeBron James have a chance to heave their full-court shot, or might the four-time MVP be convinced enough that the Heat will reload that he re-ups before the free agency flirtations even begin? We shall see.

Meanwhile, it's somewhat telling that the Los Angeles Lakers have still not hired a coach and likely won't until the free agency fog clears.

As USA TODAY Sports reported June 10, the lack of urgency to name Mike D'Antoni's successor after his May 1 exit has had everything to do with their belief that they'd have a chance to court free agents like James and Carmelo Anthony (and perhaps even both). The move isn't about letting a player pick the new coach, but rather giving them a chance to have some voice and avoid closing certain doors that may have otherwise been open had the coaching decision already been made.

A person with knowledge of James' situation said he has yet to determine a possible schedule and location for free agent visits. Officials from several teams hoping to court James confirmed as much, indicating that no direction has been given about when and where they may get James' ear.

And with the Saturday revelation that Heat guard Dwyane Wade and forward Udonis Haslem would opt out of their contracts like James recently did (with forward Chris Bosh possibly next in line), it's unclear whether the possibility remains that James might be confident enough in Heat president Pat Riley's approach that he doesn't ultimately make any free agency rounds. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the situation.

For the Lakers, that means there's still no benefit to making their coaching hire with so many moving parts possibly still in play. It also means there's more than enough time for them â?? and the rest of the basketball-loving world â?? to reassess their list of coaching candidates.

Former Lakers guard and head coaching veteran Byron Scott (New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers) is considered the front-runner even by the rival candidates who have been under consideration. This is because of his deep ties with the organization and his longstanding relationship with Kobe Bryant that dates back to their time together as players in the 1996-97 season.

That edge would appear to put him ahead of Kurt Rambis, whose credentials read somewhat similar (former Lakers forward, former Lakers assistant coach and one-time Minnesota Timberwolves head coach) and who has also interviewed for the job on several occasions. The same goes for Mike Dunleavy, the former Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers head coach who has also been considered.

But former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins, who has also been considered for a position as Houston Rockets associate head coach under Kevin McHale, has made an interesting case in his candidacy that contrasts to Scott's and is known to still be in the running. While he has no Lakers ties, he has had the more recent run of success (Western Conference Finals appearance in 2013) while boasting the better overall record (214-201 for Hollins compared to 416-521 for Scott) and a reputation as a defensive guru that would certainly come in handy for a Lakers team that had the third-worst defense in the NBA last season (107.9 points allowed per 100 possessions).

Only the Lakers' basketball braintrust knows how much they care about having a purple-and-gold connection with their next hire, but owner/ head of basketball operations Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak know as well as anyone that finding the right fit is all that matters no matter who winds up being on the roster. So the pondering continues on the coaching front, while the roster remains in serious flux as well.

Clarity will come in time. For now, the Lakers have every reason to believe that they're still in this free agency game.